Three recent closings in Highland Park:*Merlo's, the Italian place in the Ravinia district on Roger Williams shut down unexpectedly. It had its detractors, but in my opinion stayed in its lane with traditional Italian and some exceptional dishes like the brussel sprout appetizer and Nonna's pot roast. Solid place for dinner with kids or other couples or even quick take out. We will definitely miss it. *Green Panda, Chinese on the corner of Old Elm and Second is shuttered. It was the same inconsistent Chinese you get at most Highland Park spots. Sometimes it was pretty good, other times not so much. *Tomo Sushi, Japanese at the corner of Green Bay and Central in the doomed spot that was at one point a Quizno's, some membership-type eatery, and a Thomas the Tank Engine store, is a casualty of the glut of sushi in Highland Park, leaving us with only six other sushi restaurants by my count.

“Urban Vegan” signs up in the window at the old Mixteco location. The Urban Vegan website says “Good new!!! New location coming soon We are moving just step right at the corner of Montrose and Ashland”

AlexG wrote:Recent closing in Highland Park:*Green Panda, Chinese on the corner of Old Elm and Second is shuttered. It was the same inconsistent Chinese you get at most Highland Park spots. Sometimes it was pretty good, other times not so much.

I went there once, had the Kung Pao Chicken. The chicken had the most horrible texture - it was kind of crunchy in a bad way.

Mr. B's BBQ is (temporarily?) closed. There's a sign that says "Closed" on the door and Yelp says it's "Mr. B's BBQ is temporarily closed. Scheduled to reopen on December 30, 2018." It was in the old Smokin' Woody's spot. Walking past there, it seems like it has been closed for a little while.

1) Tandoori House at 401 E Euclid, Mount Prospect, which I first reported on in October 2016 has shuttered. That seems to be something of a death spot, especially with all the fast casual ringing Randhurst Village, but I could use a nearby Indian joint. They weren't the fastest service or the most varied menu, but they were decent. That same spot has hosted New Sunrise, Emma's, and Mount Prospect Pancake House since I've been around here.

2) Long-time fixture Photo's, at Kensington and Wolf, has closed its Mount Prospect doors, although the Palatine location is still open. I hadn't eaten there in years, since their prices -- even with the special of the day, or with coupons -- were very high, and the food was never anything special. If Salerno's were smart, they'd relocate to Photo's space, which is at least twice as big.

What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang

Thirteen Pins on Irving Park just west of the expressway has a handwritten sign in the window stating "Close [sic] for Vacation" -- presumably at Club Fed after the owner was recently busted for possession of half a pound of meth.

Other possible interpretations of "Close for Vacation" are "we have been serving alcohol without a liquor license for three years and hosting live bands without a PPA and the authorities finally got around to enforcing a cease-and-desist order" and "our landlord has moved to evict us."

I sincerely hope they are closed permanently, and good riddance to that neighborhood nuisance if they are.

I can confirm that the Bonchon in Glenview is open (albeit a soft opening per their signage). The restaurant seemed to be fully operational around 6:15pm Tuesday night. Every table was taken and service was helpful and attentive. Only hiccup for us was we mistakenly got a wrong dish that they allowed us to keep after realizing their mistake.

Wings were great - we had a combo of the spicy and the soy garlic, as well as bulgogi, bibimbap and some korean tacos. Everything else was solid and will definitely return, but will probably go more wing-heavy with future orders. Glad it's so close by (for me) and won't have to schlep to Chinatown to enjoy the wings.

1) Tandoori House at 401 E Euclid, Mount Prospect, which I first reported on in October 2016 has shuttered. That seems to be something of a death spot, especially with all the fast casual ringing Randhurst Village, but I could use a nearby Indian joint. They weren't the fastest service or the most varied menu, but they were decent. That same spot has hosted New Sunrise, Emma's, and Mount Prospect Pancake House since I've been around here.

2) Long-time fixture Photo's, at Kensington and Wolf, has closed its Mount Prospect doors, although the Palatine location is still open. I hadn't eaten there in years, since their prices -- even with the special of the day, or with coupons -- were very high, and the food was never anything special. If Salerno's were smart, they'd relocate to Photo's space, which is at least twice as big.

I drove past the former Tandoori House on Monday night- it appears to be becoming a Mexican restaurant- sign was up and lights were on, but I'm not sure if they were open for business yet.

That Photo's always had terrible service. When we lived in Prospect Heights, I think we gave them two chances and they screwed up our orders both times with no apology. I hope Salerno's does move in there.

Speaking of Salerno's, I heard they got new owners relatively recently (in the last couple years)...can anyone confirm if they're at least as good as they were before?